by C. Hallman
It took quite some time and a lot of work, but everything has finally fallen into place.
I moved into the house Ryder bought me right away. He slept in the guest room at first, trying to give me some space, but that didn’t last long. He surprised the hell out of me in more than one way, and he keeps surprising me every day.
He is a great dad. From day one, he has been there for our daughter. Whether it was midnight feedings, diaper changes, or story reading, he’s done it all.
There are still things we don’t agree on. Ryder being in the MC is on top of that list. I know he is doing illegal things, and I hate that he is putting himself in danger. Unfortunately, he won’t budge on that. He says he can’t leave and promised to keep the MC and our life separate, which he luckily has been able to do so far.
“That’s it for today,” the professor’s voice drags me out of my own thoughts. “I’ll see you guys next week.”
I gather my things and shove everything in my backpack before making my way to the front of the building. Ryder is already waiting outside. With his hands in his pockets, he is casually leaning against one of the fancy planters.
“Where is Gwen?” I ask as soon as I’m close enough.
“Your mom wanted to babysit. So, I thought we could celebrate your first day as a full-time college student,” he tells me as we walk to the car. “But first, I need to know if anyone talked to you today? Any guys try to flirt? Just making sure I don’t have to kill someone.”
“No one talked to me.” I shake my head. Ryder has become even more possessive since Gwen was born. Sometimes he overdoes it a bit, but I secretly like the way he is. It’s like he is scared of losing me all the time, and I know that feeling very well.
After he basically pushed me away twice, it was hard for me to trust that he wouldn’t do it again.
On the drive home, I tell him every detail of the two classes I had today. It must be boring to him, but he still listens as if it’s the most interesting story he’s ever heard.
By the time we get home, I’ve told him everything I can think of, and my throat is dry from talking non-stop.
“So, how are we going to celebrate?” I question as we walk into the house through the garage.
Ryder opens the door and leads me into the kitchen without answering. He pulls me all the way into the dining room. The table is already set, a bottle of champagne and two flutes in the center.
“I didn’t cook because you know my food sucks, but I bought food from a fancy restaurant and set the table.”
“It’s perfect… but I’m not really hungry for food yet.”
“What are you hungry for? Please, say my cock,” he whispers the last bit, making me laugh.
“Yeah, maybe we can go upstairs and–” I don’t get to finish my sentence because I’m hoisted in the air. Ryder throws me over his shoulder and carries me up to the bedroom, taking two stairs at a time.
He deposits me on the bed and starts taking my clothes off in a hurry. Only when I’m completely naked does he undress himself. He drops his pants, wearing no boxers underneath, then pulls off his shirt.
My eyes immediately go to his chest, where I find a new tattoo among the other older, faded ones. This one stands out. Not only because the ink is still dark, but also because it’s the only one that has color. All his other tattoos are black and gray.
“You got a new tattoo?”
“Yeah, take a closer look.” Ryder climbs on the bed next to me, so I can look at the intricate artwork up close. As soon as I realize what it is, my throat tightens.
It’s an owl—a beautiful, detailed owl, with big blue eyes and soft-looking feathers. The chest of the owl is heart-shaped and written inside the heart are mine and Gwen’s names.
“You like it?”
“Yes.” I nod my head, trying to hold the tears at bay. “It doesn’t really match your other tattoos, but I love it.”
“I know I don’t say this a lot, and I know our life together started more like a nightmare than a fairytale, but I love you. You know that, right?”
“Ryder, I knew it before you figured it out yourself. And even though you don’t say it a lot, you show me every day, and that’s way more important than any words.”
“You’re perfect,” he murmurs, right before he leans down and takes one of my nipples in his mouth. He sucks so hard, my body arches off the bed.
Ryder moves us around and positions himself between my legs while switching to the other breast to give it equal attention. He enters me with one hard thrust.
My head tips back into the pillow, and I hold on to Ryder’s biceps as he moves inside of me. Pleasure ripples through my body. He takes me roughly, his fingers digging into my hips to hold me in place, but his lips are soft as he gently kisses along my neck.
As always, he is a contradiction in himself. Soft and hard. Gentle and rough.
Ryder is all jagged edges on the outside, rough and cold, but there is tenderness inside of him he only shows Gwen and me. A light that only shines when near us.
“I love you,” he murmurs into my skin.
“I love you too.” I love every part of him, even the ugly part. Just like he loves all of me. That’s what love is about. You can’t choose part of someone to love. You have to love everything—the good and the bad.
No one is perfect. The only thing that is, is the love between two people… and that we have plenty of.
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About the Author
C. Hallman is a USA Today Bestselling author and one part of the international bestselling author duo Beck & Hallman.
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